(Photo Credit: Fédération Tunisienne de Football/Facebook)
2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying continues on Thursday with a full slate of nine matches involving several nations who need positive results to ease the concerns of their supporters. North African nations Algeria and Tunisia are in action with Tunisia under heavy pressure in a tight Group A. Group D will become much clearer at the end of the day with Benin and Rwanda fighting for second place while Nigeria is looking to clinch top spot. Finally, Group L is mostly settled but a West African duel between Burkina Faso and Senegal has plenty of bragging rights and first place at stake.
Pan-Africa Football will provide updates throughout the day of action as each group of matches proceed. Click here to catch up and read all about the action from Wednesday.
13:00 GMT
Group E: Equatorial Guinea vs. Algeria (Malabo, Equatorial Guinea)
Group B: Lesotho vs. Central African Republic (Bloemfontein, South Africa)
Group K: South Sudan vs. Congo (Juba, South Sudan)
Equatorial Guinea can rest easy after a defeat for Togo at Liberia on Wednesday secured qualification for Nzalang Nacional, who nonetheless will look to upset Algeria at home in Malabo. Central African Republic need at least a draw against Lesotho in South Africa to stay within reach of second placed Gabon in Group B and Republic of Congo must defeat South Sudan in a difficult test away from home to keep the pressure on South Africa and Uganda in Group K.
HT update:
Equatorial Guinea 0-0 Algeria
Lesotho 0-0 Central African Republic
South Sudan 2-2 Congo
Towering striker Christopher Ibayi chooses a great time to score his first two goals for Congo with his strong physical presence causing plenty of problems for South Sudan. An equalizer just before halftime from South Sudan has put the pressure back on Congo who must win to keep their hopes alive. Equatorial Guinea started well but visitors Algeria are settling into the match with goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja producing a brilliant save just before halftime to keep the match scoreless. In South Africa there was little action in the first half between Lesotho and Central African Republic, who need to overcome the subborn Basotho defense and find a victory.
FT Update:
Equatorial Guinea 0-0 Algeria
Lesotho 1-0 Central African Republic
South Sudan 3-2 Congo
The qualification hopes of Central African Republic and Congo are now extinguished following defeats away from home. Lesotho got the only goal of the match early in the second half and effectively ran the clock out with a strong defensive performance and time wasting for a result that qualifies Gabon for the 2025 AFCON finals. South Sudan rally twice from deficits to earn their first points of the campaign, a result that officially qualifies neighbors Uganda as well as second placed South Africa out of Group K. Algeria are the winners of Group E following their scoreless draw at Equatorial Guinea.
16:00 GMT
Group L: Burundi vs. Malawi- Abidjan, Ivory Coast (15:00 GMT)
Group A: Madagascar vs. Tunisia (Pretoria, South Africa)
Group F: Niger vs. Sudan (Lomé, Togo)
Group D: Rwanda vs. Libya (Kigali, Rwanda)
Tunisia will not have to worry about Madagascar's well-known home advantage since Barea must host in South Africa but the North African nation needs a victory to settle the nerves of their supporters. A draw against Niger will clinch qualification for Sudan in Group F and confirm the elimination of Ghana as well as today's opponents. Rwandan supporters will be in full voice in Kigali where Amavubi want a victory over visitors Libya to maintain pressure on second place Benin who are only one point ahead of Rwanda in Group D.
FT: Burundi 0-0 Malawi
HT:
Madagascar 2-2 Tunisia
Niger 3-0 Sudan
Rwanda 0-0 Libya
An absolutely thrilling first half in South Africa between Madagascar and Tunisia with Madagascar coming back twice from deficits including Ibrahim Amada's equalizer just before halftime. The Barea played as well if not better than the North African nation and Tunisian supporters are clearly feeling anxious about their team's qualification chances. In Togo, Niger's qualification campaign has been revived with a terrific first half that saw them score three on the normally sturdy Sudanese defense. In Kigali, Rwanda have maintained a high level of pressure on the Libyan defense but no breakthrough yet for Amavubi. Plenty to watch for in the second half!
FT:
Madagascar 2-3 Tunisia
Niger 4-0 Sudan
Rwanda 0-1 Libya
There was only two goals in the second half of all three matches but they were absolutely crucial! Tunisia have qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after Ali Abdi snuck in for a header from a deflected cross, moments after the Eagles of Carthage went down to ten players following a red card. Meanwhile, in Kigali, it was heartbreak for Rwandan supporters with Libya finding a late winner from Fahd Mohamed despite the hosts dominating the entire match. Rwanda will now need Nigeria to avoid defeat against Benin later and win against Nigeria in their final match to have any chance of qualifying out of Group D.
19:00 GMT
Group D: Benin vs. Nigeria (Abidjan, Ivory Coast)
Group L: Burkina Faso vs. Senegal (Bamako, Mali)
Benin need to be at their best today against Nigeria where a victory in Ivory Coast would go a long way towards qualification for the Cheetahs, who are only one point ahead of Rwanda in second place with the East African nation at home against last placed Libya. Burkina Faso are even with Senegal on ten points in Group L with both nations already qualified for the finals in Morocco, making their clash a duel for the status of group winner.
HT:
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
Burkina Faso 0-0 Senegal
Nigeria look too relaxed in Abidjan, something that cost the Super Eagles when poor marking allowed Benin defender Mohamed Tijani to open the scoring with a free header. Nigeria are already qualified for the 2025 AFCON finals following Rwanda's defeat earlier and if Benin can hold on they will join the Super Eagles. In Mali, Burkina Faso and Senegal are evenly matched with Burkina Faso just missing out on a couple of dangerous opportunities.
FT:
Benin 1-1 Nigeria
Burkina Faso 0-1 Senegal
Benin appeared set for a victory and qualification to the 2025 AFCON but despite a lackluster performance, Nigeria find a late equalizer through Victor Osimhen and the Super Eagles win Group D. Benin are two points ahead of Rwanda in second place and Libya are still alive before the final matches. Rwanda will travel to Nigeria while Libya host Benin.
Senegal finds a late strike from substitute Habib Diarra to secure their status as winners of Group L. Burkina Faso will be disappointed with the result but qualification is secured for the Stallions who will finish in second place.
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